The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that federal agents arrested what it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, including one man with 24 criminal convictions.
In a statement, DHS also criticized state and local officials for not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, arguing that sanctuary-style policies have led to criminal offenders being released back into Minnesota communities.
DHS said the arrests highlight the impact of ICE enforcement operations in sanctuary jurisdictions. The agency contrasted its actions with what it called the refusal of Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor ICE detainers—requests from federal immigration authorities to hold certain individuals for transfer to ICE custody.
According to DHS, that approach has resulted in “hundreds” of criminal illegal immigrants being released locally.
“As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “These are the criminals Governor [Tim] Walz and Mayor [Jacob] Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors.”
DHS said more arrests were made Thursday as part of Operation Metro Surge and that the department identified 13 individuals in a release first shared with Fox News. The department described the effort as targeted enforcement focused on removing criminal illegal immigrants from Minnesota neighborhoods, with priority given to offenders who have serious or violent criminal histories.
Among those cited by DHS is Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national the department said was previously convicted of murder.
DHS also identified Brian Anjain from the Marshall Islands, who the agency said has 24 criminal convictions. Those convictions include assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, public nudity, theft, interference with official acts, public intoxication and trespassing, according to DHS.
Another individual named by DHS is Eddy Xol-Lares of Venezuela, who the department said was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while aboard a vessel.
DHS said the arrests also involved criminal illegal immigrants from Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa and Romania.
The department added that Operation Metro Surge has led to arrests of people convicted of crimes including domestic violence, assault, fraud, identity theft, forgery, restraining order violations, property damage and multiple drunken driving offenses. DHS also said some of those arrested have prior charges involving kidnapping, robbery with deadly weapons, gun possession and narcotics offenses.
DHS claims that since President Donald Trump took office, nearly 470 criminal illegal immigrants have been released back into Minnesota communities due to sanctuary-style policies.
DHS said it is urging Walz and Frey to honor ICE detainers for more than 1,360 aliens, including violent criminals currently in custody, arguing that increased cooperation would improve public safety.
Additional information about those arrested nationwide is available through the agency’s public-facing database at wow.dhs.gov, which tracks enforcement actions involving serious offenders.
